Method and system for localization-based data connectivity transitioning

ABSTRACT

A method and a system of maintaining data connectivity between a mobile device during traversal of a pedestrian facility and a server computing device via a set of intermediary communication devices. The method, executed in a processor of the server device, comprises receiving, while the mobile device is in data connectivity via a first intermediary communication device of the set, a request for transitioning the data connectivity to a second intermediary communication device of the set, the request including a first position of the mobile device as localized, based on fingerprint data of the pedestrian facility, at a first distance from the first position to the first intermediary communication device, and a second distance from the first position to a second intermediary communication device of the set, and maintaining the data connectivity with the mobile device by switching, based on the first and the second distances, from the first intermediary communication device to the second intermediary communication device.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure herein relates to the field of mobile device indoornavigation and localization.

BACKGROUND

Users of mobile devices are increasingly using and depending upon indoorpositioning and navigation applications and features. Seamless, accurateand dependable indoor positioning can be difficult to achieve usingsatellite-based navigation systems when the latter becomes unavailableor sporadically available, such as within enclosed or partly enclosedurban infrastructure and buildings, including hospitals, shopping malls,airports, college buildings, sports arenas and industrial warehouses.Indoor navigation solutions that assist a pedestrian user by providingrobust and uninterrupted data connectivity along a pedestrian routeadvance the utility, and ready adoption, of indoor positioning systems.Frequently, indoor navigation solutions rely on wireless data networkconnections maintained via wireless access point devices installed infixed locations within the indoor facility. It too often observed,however, when having information about the spatial locations of specificaccess points devices as deployed, that network data connectivity forthe mobile device is too often established via a farther-away accesspoint, rather than one or more that are significantly closer inproximity, consequently affecting the integrity and quality of thenetworked data connection for a mobile device user during traversal ofthe indoor facility.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates, in an example embodiment, a system forlocalization-enabled data connectivity transitions.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example architecture of a network managementcomputing and communication server device for use with alocalization-enabled data connectivity transitioning system.

FIG. 3 illustrates, in an example embodiment, a method of operation of alocalization-enabled data connectivity transitioning system.

FIG. 4 illustrates another example embodiment of the method of operationof the localization-enabled data connectivity transitioning system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Among other technical effects and advantages, embodiments providedherein recognize, and improve upon, a situation where, relatively often,it can observed that a user of a carried mobile computing andcommunication device (also referred to as mobile device herein)navigating a pedestrian route within an indoor facility may remainconnected to a spatially far-away wireless access point device even whenan alternate wireless access point device in the same data networkbecomes significantly closer as the user traverses along the route. Itis further observed that the process of handing off data connectivity toa nearby access point may not occur until the mobile device-carryinguser has traversed away from that access point, and in fact has alreadyreached a position far from it. Although in such a situation the user'smobile device may be still be able to transmit data bi-directionallywith a network management server device, the quality of the datatransmission may not be as high-quality or error-free as compared withestablishing, and transitioning to, a connection via the significantlycloser wireless access point device. Embodiments provided herein improveon existing and currently-deployed solutions by having the mobile deviceassume a primary role for a network management server deciding when totransition, or switch, data connectivity of the mobile device betweenindividual ones in a set of networked wireless access point devicesdeployed in an indoor or pedestrian facility. In a particularembodiment, based on the mobile device localizing itself to determineits spatial position relative to the set of networked wireless accesspoint devices, independently and without any input from the networkmanagement server device, the mobile device may push a notification tothe network management server device, requesting a transition, or aswitch, from one wireless access point device with which it is currentlyconnected to an identified alternate wireless access point device of theset that might have become closer, or is about to become closer, inspatial proximity.

Corresponding to a sequence of locations along the mobile device routebeing traversed in the pedestrian facility, fingerprint measurements maybe correlated in time and position with wireless communication signalsignatures and mobile device sensor readings along the route that theuser's mobile device may traverse relative to the indoor or pedestrianfacility. In particular, embodiments described herein advantageouslyprovide a user in possession of a mobile device with a solution thatensures the best data connectivity and data communication with a networkmanagement server device while traversing along a route in a pedestrianfacility calibrated for fingerprint data as established in a fingerprintdatabase accessible to the network management server device.

In particular, a method of maintaining data connectivity between amobile device during traversal of a pedestrian facility and a servercomputing device via a set of intermediary communication devices isprovided. The method, executed in a processor of the server device,comprises receiving, while the mobile device is in data connectivity viaa first intermediary communication device of the set, a request fortransitioning the data connectivity to a second intermediarycommunication device of the set, the request including a first positionof the mobile device as localized, based on fingerprint data of thepedestrian facility, at a first distance from the first position to thefirst intermediary communication device, and a second distance from thefirst position to a second intermediary communication device of the set,and maintaining the data connectivity with the mobile device byswitching, based on the first and the second distances, from the firstintermediary communication device to the second intermediarycommunication device.

Also provided is a method, in one variation, of maintaining dataconnectivity between a mobile device during traversal of a pedestrianfacility and a server computing device via a set of intermediarycommunication devices is provided. The method, executed in a processorof the server device comprises, while the mobile device is in dataconnectivity via a first intermediary communication device, receiving anindication that the mobile device is localized to a position between afirst and a second intermediary communication devices of the set ofintermediary communication devices, based on an inertial sensor deviceincluding at least one of a gyroscope, an accelerometer and themagnetometer, determining a directional heading of the mobile device,inferring, based on the directional heading, at least one of anunobstructed line of sight wireless signal transmission path to thesecond intermediary communication device, and a more obstructed line ofsight wireless signal transmission path to the first intermediarycommunication device, and based on the inferring, maintaining the dataconnectivity with the mobile device by switching from the firstintermediary communication device to the second intermediarycommunication device.

Further provided is a network manager server computing system, which inan embodiment may be a server computing device, for maintaining dataconnectivity between a mobile device during traversal of a pedestrianfacility and a server device via a set of intermediary communicationdevices. The system includes a memory storing a set of computerinstructions that, when executed in a processor of the server computingdevice, receives, while the mobile device is in data connectivity via afirst intermediary communication device of the set, a request fortransitioning the data connectivity to a second intermediarycommunication device of the set, the request including a first positionof the mobile device as localized, based on fingerprint data of thepedestrian facility, at a first distance from the first position to thefirst intermediary communication device, and a second distance from thefirst position to a second intermediary communication device of the set,and maintaining the data connectivity with the mobile device byswitching, based on the first and the second distances, from the firstintermediary communication device to the second intermediarycommunication device.

One or more embodiments described herein provide that methods,techniques, and actions performed by a computing device are performedprogrammatically, or as a computer-implemented method. Programmatically,as used herein, means through the use of code or computer-executableinstructions. These instructions can be stored in one or more memoryresources of the computing device. A programmatically performed step mayor may not be automatic.

One or more embodiments described herein can be implemented usingprogrammatic modules, engines, or components. A programmatic module,engine, or component can include a program, a sub-routine, a portion ofa program, or a software component or a hardware component capable ofperforming one or more stated tasks or functions. As used herein, amodule or component can exist on a hardware component independently ofother modules or components. Alternatively, a module or component can bea shared element or process of other modules, programs or machines.

Some embodiments described herein can generally require the use ofcomputing devices, including processor and non-transitory memoryresources. For example, one or more embodiments described herein may beimplemented, in whole or in part, on computing devices such as servers,desktop computers, mobile devices including cellular or smartphones,wearable devices, tablet devices and laptop computing devices. Memory,processing, and network resources may all be used in connection with theestablishment, use, or performance of any embodiment described herein,including with the performance of any method or with the implementationof any system.

Furthermore, one or more embodiments described herein may be implementedthrough the use of instructions that are executable by one or moreprocessors. These instructions may be carried on a computer-readablemedium. Machines shown or described with figures below provide examplesof processing resources and computer-readable mediums on whichinstructions for implementing embodiments of the invention can becarried and/or executed. In particular, the numerous machines shown withembodiments of the invention include processor(s) and various forms ofmemory for holding data and instructions. Examples of computer-readablemediums include permanent memory storage devices, such as hard drives onpersonal computers or servers. Other examples of computer storagemediums include portable memory storage units, flash memory and magneticmemory. Computers, terminals, network enabled devices (e.g., mobiledevices, such as cell phones) are all examples of machines and devicesthat utilize processors, memory, and instructions stored oncomputer-readable mediums. Additionally, embodiments may be implementedin the form of computer-programs, or a computer usable carrier mediumcapable of carrying such a program.

System Description

FIG. 1 illustrates, in an example embodiment, system 100 forlocalization-enabled data connectivity transitioning within or proximatea pedestrian-accessible facility in which mobile device 102 assumes aprimary role for the data connectivity switching decisions. Mobilecomputing device 102, also referred to as mobile device 102 herein, mayinclude pedestrian navigation application 105, and is communicativelyconnected via one of intermediary access point devices 103 a, 103 b andcommunication network 108 to network management server computing device101 (also referred to herein as server device 101 and server 101).Network management server device 101 may include network manager logicmodule 106. In one embodiment, mobile device 102 may correspond to, forexample, a cellular communication device (e.g., a smartphone) that iscapable of telephony, messaging, and data computing. In variations,mobile device 102 can correspond to, for example, a tablet computer or awearable computing and communication device. Mobile device 102 mayinclude a processor, a non-transitory memory, a graphical user interface(GUI) display screen, input mechanisms such as a keyboard orsoftware-implemented touchscreen input functionality, barcode, QR codeor other symbol- or code-scanner input functionality. Mobile device 102may include sensor functionality by way of sensor devices including anyof inertial sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope), magnetometer or othermagnetic field sensing functionality, as barometric or otherenvironmental pressure sensing functionality. Mobile device 102 may alsoinclude capability for detecting and communicatively accessing wirelesscommunication signals, including but not limited to any of Bluetooth,Wi-Fi, RFID, and GPS signals. Mobile device 102 further includes thecapability for detecting and measuring a received signal strength of thewireless communication signals. In other variations, mobile device 102may include location determination capability such as by way of a GlobalPositioning System (GPS) location data capability, and may becommunicatively coupled to communication network 108, such as by sendingand receiving cellular data over data and voice channels.

Pedestrian navigation application 105, in one embodiment, may be asoftware application that is downloaded, such as from server computingdevice 101, installed, and stored in a non-transitory memory of mobiledevice 102. During execution, for example in a processor of mobiledevice 102, of computer instructions that constitute pedestriannavigation application 105, a physical layout map of an indoor facilityor building being traversed by a user in possession of mobile device 102may be displayed within a graphical user interface (GUI) display ofmobile device 102. The term pedestrian as used herein is intended toencompass not only walking pedestrians, but also users moving at typicalpedestrian speeds, for example at typically less than 10 miles per hour,using automated means such as automated wheelchairs or automatedpeople-moving indoor carts and similar automated people-moving systems.The terms indoor facility or building as used herein means an at leastpartially enclosed building having at least one fixed boundary, such asan exterior boundary wall.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example architecture of network managementcomputing and communication server device 101, also referred to hereinas server 101, for use with localization-enabled data connectivitytransitioning system 100. Server 101, in embodiment architecture 200,may be implemented on one or more server devices, and includes processor201, memory 202 which may include a read-only memory (ROM) as well as arandom access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device, displayscreen or device 203, input mechanisms 204 and communication interface207 communicatively coupled to communication network 108. Processor 201may be configured with software and/or other logic to perform one ormore processes, steps and other functions as implemented herein, such asdescribed by FIG. 1 through FIG. 4 herein. Processor 201 may processinformation and instructions stored in memory 202, such as provided by arandom access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device, for storinginformation and instructions which are executable in processor 201.

Network manager logic module 106 of server device 101 may includeprocessor-executable instructions stored in RAM, in one embodiment, inmemory 202, and may be constituted of sub-modules including transitionrequest module 205 and connectivity decision module 206.

Fingerprint data stored in a database on server 101 may be used to trackmobile device 102 traversal along trajectory or route within, and evenadjoining, the indoor facility by localizing mobile device 102 toparticular positions according to pre-mapped, or pre-calibrated,fingerprint data of the indoor facility. The area may be an indoor areawithin a shopping mall, an airport, a warehouse, a sports arena, auniversity campus, or any at least partially enclosed building. Inembodiments, the fingerprint data further includes respectivetime-stamps, whereby the orientation, the magnetic field strength anddirection, the received wireless signal strength, the barometricpressure, and the position data can be time-correlated for any givenposition along a trajectory or trajectory segment along the indoorfacility, in accordance with the respective time-stamps. In embodiments,the fingerprint data as mapped, which may be hosted at memory 202 ofserver 101 and made communicatively accessible to mobile device 102 viacommunication network 108 and intermediary access points 103 a, 103 b,further associates particular positions along route 103 with anycombination of fingerprint data, including fingerprint data acquiredusing a gyroscope, accelerometer, magnetometer, wireless signal strengthmeasurement, wireless connectivity indications, barometric sensors,acoustic sensors, line-of sight sensors, and ambient lighting sensors,in addition to magnetic data stored thereon.

The terms fingerprint and fingerprint data as used herein refer totime-correlated, individual measurements of any of, or any combinationof, received wireless communication signal strength and signalconnectivity parameters, magnetic field parameters (strength, direction)or barometric pressure parameters, and mobile device inertial sensordata at known, particular locations along a route being traversed, andalso anticipated for traversal, by the mobile device. In other words, afingerprint may include a correlation of sensor and signal information(including, but not necessarily limited to wireless signal strength,magnetic or barometric information, inertial sensor information)associated for a unique location relative to the facility. Thus,fingerprint data associated with a particular location or positionestablishes a fingerprint signature that uniquely correlates to thatparticular location or position and applied to localize the mobiledevice at a particular position or location along a trajectory of motionacross the indoor area based on that fingerprint signature. Fingerprintdata may be used to track traversal of mobile device 102 along asequence of positions that constitute a pedestrian route within, andadjoining, an indoor facility. Mobile device 102 signal and sensorinformation as measured during a fingerprint calibration process may betime-averaged across particular periods of time, with the time-averagedvalue being used to represent the signal information at any giveninstance of time within that particular period of time in which thesignal information is time-averaged.

The term data connectivity as used in the context of data connectivityherein refers to a wireless radio frequency (RF) signal being availableand active in accomplishing bi-directional data communication betweendevices that both transmit and receive data via a wireless RF signal,such as between mobile device 102 and network management server 101,including when such bi-directional data communication is being operatedvia intermediary communication devices, such as network access pointdevices 103 a and 103 b of FIG. 1. Transitioning or switching dataconnectivity as used herein refers to terminating data connectivity withone device in favor of establishing data connectivity with another. Forexample, mobile device 102 may be in data connectivity with server 101via access point 103 a, but then switches or transitions to establishdata connectivity with access point device 103 b in order to maintainuninterrupted bi-directional data communication with network managementserver device 101.

Processor 201 uses executable instructions stored in transition requestmodule 205 of network management server 101 to receive, or access,localization information including coordinate positions of mobile device102 at a first position while in data connectivity with mobile device102 via a first intermediary access point device 103 a (also referred toherein as a first intermediary communication device 103 a). Server 101in conjunction with mobile device 102 may localize mobile device 102 toparticular coordinate positions within the pedestrian facility, based onfingerprint data accessible to server 101, and in one variation, alsoaccessible to mobile device 102. The fingerprint data may includemeasurements correlated in time and position with wireless communicationsignal signatures and mobile device 102 sensor readings in accordancewith calibrations established in a fingerprint database of thepedestrian area that is communicative accessible to server 101, and tomobile device 102 in another embodiment. The localizing may be based onany one or more of a mobile device orientation, a magnetic fieldstrength and direction, a received wireless communication signalstrength, a wireless connectivity indication and a barometric pressurein accordance with the fingerprint data of the pedestrian facility.

Processor 201 also uses executable instructions stored in transitionrequest module 205 to determine a first distance from a position ofmobile device 102 as localized to first intermediary access point device103 a, and a second distance from the position of mobile device 102 aslocalized to second intermediary access point device 103 b (alsoreferred to herein as intermediary communication device 103 b).Embodiments described herein presume foreknowledge by mobile device 102,such as from pedestrian navigation application 105 installed thereon, ofspecific location or position (X, Y, Z) coordinates for individualaccess point devices as deployed in infrastructure of the indoor orpedestrian facility, such as may be obtained from a mapping of theplacement of individual access point devices of a given wireless networkwithin the indoor facility. The term intermediary as used herein refersto the role of an access point or similar device in providing a bridgeor an intermediate node through which mobile device 102 and networkmanagement server 101 (also referred to as server 101 herein) accomplishbi-directional data communication with each other. In embodiments, suchan intermediary device may be a Bluetooth, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)or a Wi-Fi access point device deployed or fixed within infrastructureof the indoor facility. However, intermediary devices conforming toother wireless communication standards are also contemplated.

The terms position or location as used herein refers to a coordinatelocation expressed in local or global (X, Y) horizontal coordinateterms. In some embodiments, the coordinates may further include a Zcoordinate representing a height, for example associated with a givenfloor within a multi-floor building, and thus expressed in (X, Y, Z)coordinate terms.

Processor 201 uses executable instructions stored in connectivitydecision module 206 for maintaining data connectivity with mobile device102 by switching, based on the first and the second distances, fromfirst intermediary communication device 103 a to second intermediarycommunication device 103 b. The term switching as used herein refers tothe process of transitioning the bi-directional data connection betweenmobile device 102 and server 101 using an alternate or second accesspoint device in lieu of the currently-in-use access point intermediarydevice, whereby the bi-directional data transmission capability andconnection with network server 101 is maintained. It is contemplatedthat in alternate embodiments, at least some portions of thefunctionality of mobile device localization module 205 and access pointproximity module 206 may be performed at mobile device 102, incommunication and in conjunction with server 101.

In one variation, upon localizing mobile device 102 at a positionbetween two access point devices, data connectivity is switched to thewhichever access point device becomes spatially closer to mobile device102 as the user carrying mobile device 102 traverses the indoorfacility. In such an embodiment, the data connectivity between mobiledevice 102 and network management server 101 is maintained by switchingfrom first intermediary access point device 103 a to second intermediarydevice 103 b when the distance between mobile device 102 and accesspoint 103 a becomes greater than the distance between mobile device 102and access point device 103 b as the user carrying mobile device 102traverses generally from access point device 103 a towards access pointdevice 103 b.

In another embodiment, mobile device 102 includes one or more inertialsensors, such as one or any combination of a gyroscope, an accelerometerand a magnetometer, to determine, in conjunction with pedestriannavigation application 105, a directional heading of the user of mobiledevice 102 during traversal of the indoor or pedestrian facility. Uponlocalizing the mobile device to a position between the first accesspoint intermediary device 103 and the second intermediary access pointdevice 103 b, and upon determining, in conjunction with pedestriannavigation application 105, that mobile device 102 is traversing in adirectional heading towards the second intermediary device 103 b, dataconnectivity of server 101 with mobile device 102 may be maintained byswitching from first intermediary device 103 a to second intermediarydevice 103 b even while mobile device 102 is spatially closer to 103 athan to 103 b. This embodiment contemplates and implements switchingdata connectivity to a spatially farther away access point device inlieu of a spatially closer access point device having acurrently-established data connectivity link with mobile device 102 andprovides a technical advantage of minimizing signal transmissiondistortions and interference, resulting in a higher-quality orhigher-integrity data connection. It is recognized that because of thetypical manner in which a mobile phone user carries or upholds mobiledevice 102 ahead of their torso in order to easily glance at or view thedisplay screen of mobile device 102 during traversal, wireless accesspoint device 103 b is more likely to have a clear and physicallyunobstructed line of sight access to access point device 103 b than to103 a, since the later would lie generally behind the user's torso inthis embodiment.

This counterintuitive scheme of switching data connectivity to afarther-away (relative to the distance between mobile phone 102 andaccess point device 103 a) access point device 103 b that is in frontof, or facing, a user traversing towards access point intermediarydevice 103 b results in a better quality wireless data connection forbi-directional data transmissions between mobile device 102 and networkmanagement server 101 via access point device 103 b instead of accesspoint device 102 a, at least due to a relatively uninterrupted line ofsight connection with access point device 103 b that minimizes wirelesssignal interference and distortions from the user's torso, and also fromclothing and clothing accessories worn by the mobile device-carryinguser.

Methodology

FIG. 3 illustrates, in an example embodiment, method 300 of operation oflocalization-enabled data connectivity system 100. In describingexamples of FIG. 3, reference is made to the examples of FIGS. 1-2 forpurposes of illustrating suitable components or elements for performinga step or sub-step being described.

In embodiments, network manager logic module 106 may include sequencesof processor-executable instructions within sub-modules includingtransition request module 205 and connectivity decision logic module206. Such instructions may be read into memory 202 of server 101 frommachine-readable medium, such as memory storage devices. Execution ofthe sequences of instructions contained in transition request module 205and connectivity decision logic module 206 of network manager logicmodule 106 in memory 202 causes processor 201 to perform the processsteps described herein. It is also contemplated that, in some alternateimplementations, some portions of executable instructions constitutingnetwork manager logic module 106, may be hosted at mobile device 102. Inalternative implementations, at least some hard-wired circuitry may beused in place of, or in combination with, the software logicinstructions to implement examples described herein. Thus, the examplesdescribed herein may not be limited to any fixed combination of hardwarecircuitry and software instructions.

At step 310, based upon processor 201 of server device 101 executing thecomputer code or instructions of transition request module 205,receiving, mobile device 102 is in data connectivity via firstintermediary communication device 103 a, a request for transitioning thedata connectivity to second intermediary communication device 103 b, therequest including a first coordinate position of mobile device 102 aslocalized, based on fingerprint data of the pedestrian facility, at afirst distance from the first position to first intermediarycommunication device 103 a, and a second distance from the firstposition to second intermediary communication device 103 b. Theintermediary communication devices may be of a set of wireless signalaccess point communication devices installed in the indoor facility orpedestrian facility, in an embodiment. The fingerprint data may includemeasurements correlated in time and position with wireless communicationsignal signatures and mobile device 102 sensor readings in accordancewith calibrations established in a fingerprint database of thepedestrian area that is communicative accessible to server 101, and tomobile device 102 in another embodiment. Yet further, the localizing maybe based on any one or more of a mobile device orientation, a magneticfield strength and direction, a received wireless communication signalstrength, a wireless connectivity indication and a barometric pressurein accordance with the fingerprint data of the pedestrian facility.Embodiments described herein presume foreknowledge of specific locationor position (X, Y, Z) coordinates for individual access point devices asdeployed in infrastructure of the indoor or pedestrian facility, such asfrom a mapping of the placement of respective access point deviceswithin the facility. The term intermediary as used herein refers to therole of a access point or similar device in providing a bridge or anintermediate node through which mobile device 102 and network managementserver 101 (also referred to as server 101 herein) accomplishbi-directional data communication with each other. In embodiments, suchan intermediary device may be a Bluetooth, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)or a Wi-Fi access point device deployed or fixed within infrastructureof the indoor facility. However, intermediary devices conforming toother wireless communication standards are also contemplated.

At step 320, upon processor 201 of server 101 (also referred to hereinas network server 101) executing the instructions of connectivitydecision module 206, maintaining the data connectivity with mobiledevice 102 by switching, based on the first and the second distances,from first intermediary communication device 103 a to secondintermediary communication device 103 b. The term switching as usedherein refers to the process of, while mobile phone 102 accomplishesbi-directional data transmission with server 101 via a first accesspoint intermediary device, transitioning the data connection in favor ofa second access point device in lieu of that first access pointintermediary device, whereby the bi-directional data transmissioncapability and connection with network server 101 is maintained.Although functionality pertaining to steps 310 and 320 are primarilydescribed as performed by server 101, it is also contemplated that inalternate embodiments, at least some portions of the functionality oftransition request module 205 and connectivity decision module 206 maybe performed at mobile device 102, in communication and in conjunctionwith server 101.

In one variation, upon localizing mobile device 102 at a positionbetween two access point devices, data connectivity is switched to thewhichever access point device becomes spatially closer to mobile device102 as the user carrying mobile device 102 traverses the indoorfacility. In such an embodiment, the data connectivity between mobiledevice 102 and network management server 101 is maintained by switchingfrom first intermediary access point device 103 a to second intermediarydevice 103 b when the first distance becomes greater than the seconddistance.

FIG. 4 illustrates another example embodiment method 400 of operation ofthe localization-enabled data connectivity transitioning system. In onevariation, mobile device 102 includes one or more inertial sensors, suchas one or any combination of a gyroscope, an accelerometer and amagnetometer, to determine, in conjunction with pedestrian navigationapplication 105, a directional heading of a user or carrier of mobiledevice 102 during traversal of the indoor or pedestrian facility. Uponlocalizing the mobile device to a position between the first accesspoint intermediary device 103 and the second intermediary access pointdevice 103 b, and upon determining, in conjunction with pedestriannavigation application 105, that mobile device 102 is traversing in adirectional heading towards the second intermediary device 103 b, dataconnectivity of server 101 with mobile device 102 may be maintained byswitching from first intermediary device 103 a to second intermediarydevice 103 b even while mobile device 102 is spatially closer to 103 athan to 103 b. This embodiment contemplates and implements switchingdata connectivity to a spatially farther away access point device inlieu of a spatially closer access point device having acurrently-established data connectivity link with mobile device 102 andprovides a technical advantage of minimizing signal transmissiondistortions and interference, resulting in a higher-quality orhigher-integrity data connection.

At step 410, while mobile device 102 is in data connectivity withnetwork management server 101 via first intermediary communicationdevice 103 a, receiving an indication that the mobile device 102 islocalized to a coordinate position between first intermediarycommunication device 103 a (also referred to as intermediary accesspoint device 103 a herein) and a second intermediary communicationdevice 103 b (also referred to as intermediary access point device 103 aherein).

At step 420, determining a directional heading of mobile device 102along a sequence of positions being traversed based on any one of moreof an accelerometer, a gyroscope and a magnetometer.

At step 430 inferring, based on the directional heading, that a moreunobstructed line of sight signal transmission path exists tointermediary access point device 103 b than compared to intermediaryaccess point device 103 a to which mobile device 102 is currentlyconnected.

At step 440, maintaining the data connectivity with network managementserver 101 by transitioning to data connectivity with intermediaryaccess point device 103 b in lieu of intermediary access point device103 a. It is recognized that because of the typical manner in which amobile phone user upholds mobile device 102 ahead of their torso inorder to easily glance at or view the display screen of mobile device102 during traversal of a pedestrian facility, wireless access pointdevice 103 b is more likely to have a clear and physically unobstructedline of sight signal transmission path to access point device 103 b,than compared to 103 a which lying generally behind the user's torso inthis embodiment, would be subject to relatively more signal transmissiondistortion and attenuation caused by the physical obstructions of torsoand clothing accessories.

It is further recognized that a scheme of switching data connectivity toa farther-away (relative to the distance between mobile phone 102 andaccess point device 103 a) access point device 103 b that is in frontof, or facing, a user traversing towards access point intermediarydevice 103 b results in a better quality wireless data connection forbi-directional data transmissions between mobile device 102 and networkmanagement server 101 via access point device 103 b instead of accesspoint device 102 a is counterintuitive, based at least due to arelatively uninterrupted line of sight signal transmission path withaccess point device 103 b that minimizes wireless signal interferenceand distortions caused by the user's torso and from clothing andclothing accessories worn by the mobile device-carrying user.

It is contemplated that embodiments described herein extend toindividual elements and concepts described herein, independently ofother concepts, ideas or system, as well as for embodiments to includecombinations of elements recited anywhere in this application. Althoughembodiments are described in detail herein with reference to theaccompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to those precise embodiments. As such, many modifications andvariations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in this art.Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of the invention be definedby the following claims and their equivalents. Furthermore, it iscontemplated that a particular feature described either individually oras part of an embodiment can be combined with other individuallydescribed features, or parts of other embodiments, even if the otherfeatures and embodiments make no mention of the particular feature.Thus, the absence of describing combinations should not preclude theinventor from claiming rights to such combinations.

In the claims:
 1. A method of maintaining data connectivity between amobile device in traversal of a pedestrian facility and a servercomputing device via a set of intermediary communication devices in acommunication network associated with the pedestrian facility, themethod executed in a processor of the server computing device andcomprising: receiving, while the mobile device is in data connectivityvia a first intermediary communication device of the set, a request fortransitioning the data connectivity to a second intermediarycommunication device of the set, the request including a first positionof the mobile device as localized, based on fingerprint data of thepedestrian facility, at a first distance from the first position to thefirst intermediary communication device, and a second distance from thefirst position to a second intermediary communication device of the set,wherein the mobile device includes a position of the first and secondintermediary communication devices in the pedestrian facility todetermine a distance from the first and second intermediarycommunication devices, each of the first and second intermediarycommunication devices in the set representing a respective intermediatenode of the communication network through which the mobile device andthe server computing device accomplish bi-directional data communicationwith each other; and maintaining the data connectivity with the mobiledevice by switching from the first intermediary communication device tothe second intermediary communication device when the first distance isgreater than the second distance, the data connectivity defined byavailability of wireless signals for the bi-directional datacommunication between the mobile device and the server computing device.2. The method of claim 1 wherein the pedestrian facility is one of ashopping mall, an airport facility, a warehouse, a college building, anoffice building, a sports arena and an at least partially enclosedbuilding.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the localizing is based on atleast one of a mobile device orientation, a magnetic field strength anddirection, a received wireless communication signal strength, a wirelessconnectivity indication and a barometric pressure in accordance with thefingerprint data of the pedestrian facility.
 4. The method of claim 3wherein the fingerprint data includes respective time-stamps whereby themobile device orientation, the magnetic field strength and direction,the received wireless signal strength, the wireless connectivityindication and the barometric pressure are correlated in accordance withthe respective time-stamps.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein coordinateplacement information of respective intermediary devices of the set ofintermediary devices is accessed by at least one of the processor of theserver computing device and a processor of the mobile device. 6.(canceled)
 7. A method of maintaining data connectivity between a mobiledevice in traversal of a pedestrian facility and a server computingdevice via a set of intermediary communication devices, the methodexecuted in a processor of the server computing device and comprising:while the mobile device is in data connectivity via a first intermediarycommunication device, receiving an indication that the mobile device islocalized to a position between a first and a second intermediarycommunication devices of the set of intermediary communication devices;based on an inertial sensor device including at least one of agyroscope, an accelerometer and the magnetometer, determining adirectional heading of the mobile device; inferring, based on thedirectional heading, at least one of an unobstructed line of sightwireless signal transmission path to the second intermediarycommunication device, and a more obstructed line of sight wirelesssignal transmission path to the first intermediary communication device;and based on the inferring, maintaining the data connectivity with themobile device by switching from the first intermediary communicationdevice to the second intermediary communication device.
 8. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the mobile device is localized to a position closer tothe first intermediary communication device than to the secondintermediary communication device.
 9. The method of claim 1 whereincoordinate placement information of the set of intermediarycommunication devices within the pedestrian facility is accessed by atleast one of a processor of the mobile device and the processor of theserver computing device.
 10. The method of claim 1 wherein thepedestrian facility is one of a shopping mall, an airport facility, awarehouse, a college building, an office building, a sports arena and anat least partially enclosed building.
 11. The method of claim 1 whereinthe mobile device is localized based on at least one of a mobile deviceorientation, a magnetic field strength and direction, a receivedwireless communication signal strength, a wireless connectivityindication and a barometric pressure in accordance with fingerprint dataof the pedestrian facility.
 12. The method of claim 3 wherein thefingerprint data includes respective time-stamps whereby the mobiledevice orientation, the magnetic field strength and direction, thereceived wireless signal strength, the wireless connectivity indicationand the barometric pressure are correlated in accordance with therespective time-stamps.
 13. A server computing system for maintainingdata connectivity between a mobile device in traversal of a pedestrianfacility and a server computing device via a set of intermediarycommunication devices in a communication network associated with thepedestrian facility, the server computing system comprising: aprocessor; and a memory storing a set of instructions, the instructionsexecutable in the processor to: receive, while the mobile device is indata connectivity via a first intermediary communication device of theset, a request for transitioning the data connectivity to a secondintermediary communication device of the set, the request including afirst position of the mobile device as localized, based on fingerprintdata of the pedestrian facility, at a first distance from the firstposition to the first intermediary communication device, and a seconddistance from the first position to a second intermediary communicationdevice of the set, wherein the mobile device includes a position of thefirst and second intermediary communication devices in the pedestrianfacility to determine a distance from the first and second intermediarycommunication devices, each of the first and second intermediarycommunication devices in the set representing a respective intermediatenode of the communication network through which the mobile device andthe server computing device accomplish bi-directional data communicationwith each other; and maintain the data connectivity with the mobiledevice by switching from the first intermediary communication device tothe second intermediary communication device when the first distance isgreater than the second distance, the data connectivity defined byavailability of wireless signals for the bi-directional datacommunication between the mobile device and the server computing device.14. The server computing system of claim 13 wherein the localizing isbased on at least one of a mobile device orientation, a magnetic fieldstrength and direction, a received wireless communication signalstrength, a wireless connectivity indication and a barometric pressurein accordance with the fingerprint data of the pedestrian facility. 15.The server computing system of claim 13 wherein the fingerprint dataincludes respective time-stamps whereby the mobile device orientation,the magnetic field strength and direction, the received wireless signalstrength, the wireless connectivity indication and the barometricpressure are correlated in accordance with the respective time-stamps.16. (canceled)
 17. The server computing system of claim 13 whereincoordinate placement information of respective intermediary devices inthe set of intermediary devices is accessed by a processor of the mobiledevice.
 18. The server computing system of claim 13 wherein thepedestrian facility is one of a shopping mall, an airport facility, awarehouse, a college building, an office building, a sports arena and anat least partially enclosed building.
 19. The server computing system ofclaim 13 wherein maintaining the data connectivity includes establishingbi-directional data transmission between the network server device andthe second intermediary communication device.
 20. The server computingsystem of claim 19 wherein the second intermediary communication devicecomprises a wireless access point device.